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Troubleshooting
The tone is not clear or the instrument
plays out of tune.
◆
If pads are deformed or the body is crack-
ing, take the instrument to your dealer for
repair.
→ Never apply excessive force to the keys.
When you finish playing the instrument,
wipe any moisture or dirt from the pads.
→ Drastic changes in temperature or
humidity can cause cracking. Do not
expose the instrument to hot air (i.e., as
from a heater) or cold air (i.e., as from
an air-conditioner). Never try to warm
up the inside of the instrument's body
using your breath.
The keys are stiff. The keys do not move.
◆
A spring may have been dislodged or the
keys may be deformed.
→ If a spring has been dislodged, returning
it to its proper position will correct the
problem. Be careful not to bend the
spring.
Note that a spring might have been
caught by a cleaning cloth and dislodged
when you wiped down the instrument.
→ If keys are deformed, take the instru-
ment to your dealer for repair. Do not
apply excessive force to the instrument
during assembly. Do not drop the
instrument. Do not set something on the
instrument and then close the case. Do
not apply excessive oil during mainte-
nance.
Cannot assemble because the joints are too
tight or too loose.
◆
The joint cork may have shrunk or
expanded due to changes in temperature
or humidity.
→ If the joint is tight, apply a small amount
of cork grease to the joint cork. If the
joint is still tight, apply cork grease to the
receiver side as well. When you finish
playing, store the instrument in its case;
do not leave it setting out.
◆
The joint cork may be worn.
→ Proper application of cork grease offers
some protection against wear. However,
no one can completely prevent cork wear
over time. Take the instrument to your
dealer for repair.
The keys are noisy.
◆
The keys may lack oil or the screws may be
loose.
→ Apply key oil once or twice a month (1-2
drops per location) to prevent abrasion.
Also, since woodwind instruments are
built using many small screws, fre-
quently check for loose screws and
tighten them if necessary.
◆
The cork or felt on the keys is worn or has
fallen off. Or, the keys may have come in
contact with the body or other keys.
→ Take proper care of the instrument to
prevent the cork or felt from falling off.
After you play the instrument, store it in
its case. Also, handle the instrument
carefully; avoid bumping or otherwise
exposing the instrument to physical
trauma.
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